Amalgamated Bank

While at Pentagram, I had the opportunity to work closely with Michael Bierut and Hamish Smyth to develop a new brand identity system for NYC's-own, Amalgamated Bank. Established in 1923, Amalgamated is the leading financial institution dedicated to providing affordable banking services to working people, unions, and progressive organizations and businesses.

Amalgamated has its roots in the union Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, now part of Workers United, current majority owner of the bank. The bank’s heritage in the garment manufacturing union inspired the new mark, which weaves two forms together like fabric and resembles an abstract “A” and “B.”

The mark is woven from two folded loops, suggesting strength and unity, good traits for a bank. (The definition of amalgamate is “combine or unite to form one organization or structure.”) The shape functions both as a monogram—it updates an existing “AB” configuration—and a memorable symbol that graphically illustrates the bank’s emphasis on community and working together.